Watching an emotiolnal Anderson and Cook has really got me. 12yrs of great friendship
Very much so for everyone that loves cricket and the part that individuals play in team sports. It is those ties that bind them together and for that reason I bet Cook and Anderson are gutted that KP couldn't be with them on the pitch to share it with them.
It's always a tricky decision whether to go to the 5th day, especially with India 3 down and without Kohli, but Rahul and Pant batted really well and made this a genuine contest today. For it to finish with Jimmy knocking over the middle stump to win the match and break the record made it sweeter
It always pains me to give my hard earned money to Surrey, though as a consolation a hand dryer packed up when I was using it so hopefully mending it cancels out the profit from my beer consumption
Was in block 13 of the OCS today, so almost behind the bowler and a great view of the middle stump flying out!
What's most incredible is his longevity, he hasn't declined with age, instead he's got better! The guy reached his highest ranking points figure of 903 in August this year, anyone go goes over 900 is up there with the all time greats. Central contracts have clearly helped enormously, he's effectively a professional Test bowler now, but to maintain his fitness and hunger at 36 is brilliant.
Talk on cricinfo of resting Broad (maybe Anderson) in Sri Lanka, and the name coming up for Jamie Overton and Olly Stone, who have some real pace about them and are bowling well. Not a bad suggestion by any means. I'd love Porter to go, as he's more like-for-like as a swing bowler... though Sri Lanka probably isn't going to be the most forgiving, and Woakes and Stokes swing it as well.
Talk on cricinfo of resting Broad (maybe Anderson) in Sri Lanka, and the name coming up for Jamie Overton and Olly Stone, who have some real pace about them and are bowling well. Not a bad suggestion by any means. I'd love Porter to go, as he's more like-for-like as a swing bowler... though Sri Lanka probably isn't going to be the most forgiving, and Woakes and Stokes swing it as well.
Is Toby Roland-Jones on his way to fitness?
I agree with Broad and Anderson, they reckon the ball is spinning from the first over in Sri Lanka, so let them put there feet up until the West Indies tour, I think Porter should go and if Olly Stone can stay fit, he looks a very promising fast bowler same with Jamie Overton. I would not think Toby Roland Jones will be fit, it's a shame he looked very good last summer
I can understand the consideration of not taking Broad/Anderson to Sri Lanka as conditions won't be helpful, but not so sure how much they need resting, considering that with the World Cup next year in the first part of the summer the Ashes aren't until next August, which is nearly 11 months away!
It's not as if either look tired after the India series (the rib injury for Broad is obviously an issue), there's a gap of a month and a half before the red ball element of the Sri Lanka tour which is plenty of time for them to rest up, another gap of a month and a half before the Windies, and the final Test is in the middle of February, allowing a decent break before the summer.
It's players playing all 3 formats who are at greatest risk of burnout, someone like Stokes for example (with his knee issue), and the likes of Moeen, Rashid, Root, Bairstow and Buttler who also play in all 3 sides, and will be key members of our World Cup team.
At this stage of both their careers neither Broad nor Anderson will want to miss any Test matches and I’m sure both have made this clear to the management.
At this stage of both their careers neither Broad nor Anderson will want to miss any Test matches and I’m sure both have made this clear to the management.
Yup - agreed.
England have only ever won one series in Sri Lanka and only one series in West Indies in over 50 years.
Comments
Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Anderson.
It's always a tricky decision whether to go to the 5th day, especially with India 3 down and without Kohli, but Rahul and Pant batted really well and made this a genuine contest today. For it to finish with Jimmy knocking over the middle stump to win the match and break the record made it sweeter
Was in block 13 of the OCS today, so almost behind the bowler and a great view of the middle stump flying out!
Quick enough to have taken over 550 wickets.
http://www.relianceiccrankings.com/playerdisplay/test/bowling/?id=2467
Is Toby Roland-Jones on his way to fitness?
I would not think Toby Roland Jones will be fit, it's a shame he looked very good last summer
It's not as if either look tired after the India series (the rib injury for Broad is obviously an issue), there's a gap of a month and a half before the red ball element of the Sri Lanka tour which is plenty of time for them to rest up, another gap of a month and a half before the Windies, and the final Test is in the middle of February, allowing a decent break before the summer.
It's players playing all 3 formats who are at greatest risk of burnout, someone like Stokes for example (with his knee issue), and the likes of Moeen, Rashid, Root, Bairstow and Buttler who also play in all 3 sides, and will be key members of our World Cup team.
England have only ever won one series in Sri Lanka and only one series in West Indies in over 50 years.
Great challenge for them to meet.
No real consensus amongst the Telegraph's writers as to who should be in the team!
Gough never played a Test in the Windies and Caddick toured in 1994 and 1998 - losing both times!